A VETERAN TV presenter and broadcaster who lost her daughter to cancer has added her name to the list of patrons supporting the Palliative Care East appeal.

A VETERAN TV presenter and broadcaster who lost her daughter to cancer has added her name to the list of patrons supporting the Palliative Care East appeal.

Gloria Hunniford has campaigned tirelessly for improvements in care for patients living with incurable diseases since her daughter Caron Keating died of breast cancer in 2004 at the age of 41.

This week organisers behind Palliative Care East were delighted to announce Gloria had become a patron of the charity.

So far more than £415,000 has been raised for the £1.5m appeal which aims to see a palliative care centre built in the grounds of the James Paget University Hospital, supporting patients with incurable diseases such as cancer and motor neurone disease.

Gloria said: “I am greatly encouraged by the plans and principles for the Palliative Care East Centre, and I am delighted to become a patron of the appeal. The new centre will provide the right support for patients and families, helping them in a positive life affirming way. In my experience, centres such as these help patients not to fear death, and this is so important. I look forward to hearing about the progress of the appeal with great interest.”

Gloria was instrumental in setting up the Caron Keating Foundation which supports people suffering with cancer and their families.

And she joins a host of local dignitaries, health workers and business people as patrons of Palliative Care East.

Appeal co-ordinator Jenny Westgate said the main role of patrons was to be an ambassador for the cause and help raise awareness of the appeal.

She said: “The patrons are hugely important to our appeal, they are terrific ambassadors helping to promote our aims and vision to a wider circle of people and to reach out further to various groups both locally and further afield. We are also delighted that Gloria Hunniford with her insight and understanding of palliative care has agreed to be a patron and through The Caron Keating Foundation, has helped many causes very similar to ours across the country.”

Meanwhile, the appeal will host a business lunch at Potters Leisure Resort on next Friday which aims to show how important palliative care is and how it will benefit the local population.

Students from Great Yarmouth College are putting on Casino Royale at Ambitions Restaurant on May 21 at 2pm. Tickets are £21.95 and include a four course dinner, croupiers and entertainment.

And on Sunday June 1 the Parkhill Hotel, in Oulton, will host a luncheon followed by showtime favourites sung by Susie Turner with Annette Jude on piano.

For more information on the above events or to hold a fundraising event contact Jenny Westgate on 01493 453348. Donations can be sent by post to the James Paget Healthcare NHS Trust Palliative Care Appeal, Palliative Care Team, Lowestoft Road, Gorleston, NR31 6LA. Cheques should be made payable to Palliative Care East.